Chillicothe used a Miami Trace turnover and two big plays to run out to a 21-3 halftime lead and cruised to an easy 44-3 win over the Panthers.
After trading early punts, Chillicothe recovered a MT fumble at the Panther 24. Maxwell Lee converted the turnover into a score by going in from 2 yards out and a 7-0 Cavs lead late in the first quarter.
Chillicothe began their next drive at their own 9 and proceeded to go 91 yards for a second score. The score came on a scrambling, scintillating run by quarterback Kam Smith. The senior dropped back, avoided a rush, rolled to his right to the sidelines, cut back to the middle, did a Braxton Miller 360 spin to cause a miss and out ran the remaining Panther defenders for a net 56 yard touchdown.
Miami Trace responded with their best drive of the night, moving from their 34 to the Cavalier 5. The drive stalled and Warnock booted a 22 yard field goal to make it 14-3.
The Cavaliers responded with a backbreaking drive, going 96 yards in a minute and a half. The touchdown came with just 11 seconds left when Smith hit Joel Barnes on a 20 yard throw that wound up a 61 yard touchdown pass when Barnes broke a tackle and raced down the sidelines to score.
Chillicothe added 23 second half points, while shutting out the Panthers. Tylin Scales took over the running chores gaining most of his 103 yards in the second half.
Jaiden Cain picked up an interception for the Cavs and senior co captain Logan Snowden retuned a punt 64 yards for a score to contribute to the win.
Miami Trace managed only 157 total yards, but were operating without their top running back and their senior wide receiver.
Smith had a monster game in just two quarters. The senior quarterback had over 300 yards total offense, a touchdown run and a touchdown pass all in the first half. Scales ran for 103 yards on the night.
The Cavs had their best offensive night of the season with 515 total yards of offense, while the defense created three MT turnovers and only allowed the 3 points.
Chillicothe plays for the FAC championship next Friday when they host Jackson. The Cavs (4-1, 4-0) will try to avenge a thumping they took last year at Jackson. The Ironmen are (5-0, 4-0) on the year.
Miami Trace falls to (3-2, 2-2).
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